Prof Yanqing Duan, project leader for the BMRI, said: “It is a privilege to be part of this unique project and be able to make important contributions to the creation of a new generation of food entrepreneurs for the short food supply chain through products, processes and services innovation.”

It is hoped the project will boost innovation and entrepreneurship in rural communities by examining current food supply chains in Europe to identify innovative methods and help deliver short food supply processes, cutting costs for the small producer and fostering collaboration with other like-minded food entrepreneurs.

The project will create a training course for food producers aimed at providing ‘soft’ skills that will empower them to keep control of their business, promote innovation, create employment and move them up the value chain. The project will also develop an online web portal that will stimulate the sharing of knowledge and best practice between education and enterprises, allowing food producers to connect and collaborate with one another.

Prof Duan said: “We look forward to working with our European partners and making an impact on the economic development of the rural food enterprises and communities in the UK and across Europe.”